12 Best Things To Do On The Isle of Wight – Hand Luggage Only

Nestled on the south coast of England, the Isle of Wight is gorgeous to visit. Not only that, there are heaps of the best things to do on the Isle of Wight all across the island. From coastal walks to quaint villages; there’s something for every type of traveller. 

Over the years, we’ve visited the Isle of Wight many times and loved every visit. Best of all, the Isle of Wight is easy to get to via Portsmouth or Southampton. Plus, you can actually join another service from Lymington, too. In total, there are around 150 plus crossings a day; which makes a visit to the Isle of Wight really easy for a day trip or a long weekend trip. 

So, to help you get the most out of your time, I’m sharing the top places on the Isle of Wight that you think you’ll love. Have an amazing time exploring. 

1.) St Catherine’s Oratory

The Medieval lighthouse of St Catherine’s Oratory is totally gorgeous to visit. Perched on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, the lighthouse was constructed by Lord of Chale Walter de Godeton.

It’s said, he decided to build the lighthouse in the 1300s after the plundering of a stranded vessel on the shore. 

To get here, park your car at Blackgang Viewpoint Car Park and take a stroll across the fields that take you to St Catherine’s Oratory itself. Now, the pathway is lightly visible and quite uneven in parts; even muddy in wet conditions.

So, make sure to wear good footwear. The walk might be relatively short (about 400 metres) but it can be slippy. 

Afterwards, if you’ve got time, take a stroll around Chale Bay, too. The coastline here is stunning. 

Read more: Best things to do in Southampton

2.) The Needles 

Probably the most famous rocks in all of the United Kingdom, The Needles are towering chalk stacks that jut out into the English Channel. Best of all, the walk to and from The Needles is absolutely gorgeous. 

To get here, park your car here and follow ‘The Needles’ signs that you really can’t miss. a light stroll, it’ll take you around 20 minutes to walk and is lovely to see the views over the coastline.

Once you get here, make sure to check out the Old Battery and pop into the little cafe for a brew. The views here are stunning. 

If you fancy more of a ramble, head on the Needles Headland and Tennyson Down walkways that follow the cliff line of the Isle of Wight. It’s totally beautiful but can get blustery on…